title: Development of a novel controllable, multidirectional, reusable metallic port with a wide working space.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Endoscopic surgery is currently a standard procedure in many countries. Furthermore, conventional four-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy is developing into a single-port procedure. However, in many developing countries, disposable medical products are expensive and adequate medical waste disposable facilities are absent. Advanced medical treatments such as laparoscopic or single-port surgeries are not readily available in many areas of developing countries, and there are often no other sterilization methods besides autoclaving. Moreover, existing reusable metallic ports are impractical and are thus not widely used.
  
  
  METHODS
  We developed a novel controllable, multidirectional single-port device that can be autoclaved, and with a wide working space, which was employed in five patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all patients, laparoscopic cholecystectomy was accomplished without complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our device facilitates single-port surgery in areas of the world with limited sterilization methods and offers a novel alternative to conventional tools for creating a smaller incision, decrease postoperative pain, and improve cosmesis. This novel device can also lower the cost of medical treatment and offers a promising tool for major surgeries requiring a wide working space.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Fukuoka Tokushukai Medical Center , Kasuga , Japan.
authors.forename: Seiji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hosaka
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ohdaira
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Umemoto
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hashizume
authors.forename: Shunji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kawamoto
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D003906:Developing Countries; D004867:Equipment Design; D017743:Equipment Reuse; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013242:Sterilization / Q000379:methods*